Public opinion of internally displaced persons of the Zaporizhzhia region regarding the situation in the temporarily occupied territories (according to a sociological survey)

The article examines the results of a public opinion survey of internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories. 2,641 people were surveyed in the city of Zaporizhzhia and Zaporizhzhia district from April to July 2024. It is noted that most of the narratives broadcast by russian propaganda are not supported by the respondents, that is, propaganda mainly does not affect IDPs. Respondents believe that only collaborators or pensioners who receive two pensions – Ukrainian and russian – live well in the temporarily occupied territories. They also believe that the occupying authorities use the occupied territories exclusively in their own interests or for propaganda purposes. The vast majority of survey participants agree that russia directs resources and activities in the temporarily occupied territories to achieve its own strategic goals. A significant part of the respondents also believes that the presence of russian troops poses a constant threat to the local population. At the same time, the majority of respondents do not support the statement that the quality of medical services under occupation exceeds the level that existed before the war under the control of Ukraine. Separately, respondents note that the occupation authorities often attribute to themselves the achievements made by the Ukrainian government before the war. In addition, the majority of respondents expressed confidence that Ukraine will regain control over the occupied territories, and also resolutely rejected the statements about the shelling of civilians by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Respondents mostly disagree that the Ukrainian media provide distorted information. At the same time, they demonstrate a high awareness of the propaganda nature of russian media and their tendency to disinformation.